1. Show Up Early
We suggest being Downtown by noon to find better parking. A few parking garages we recommend would be:
Mills Parking Garage (104 S El Paso St)
Plaza Parking Garage (intersection of El Paso St and Henry Trost Ct)
Union Plaza Parking Garage (400 W San Antonio Ave)
A few things to keep in mind – purchase full day parking passes to save money rather than by the hour. Once parked in the Mills and Plaza Garage you will have to wair for the parade to finish to drive out.
2. Be Prepared to Walk
Downtown = Walk. Yes, you will have to park and walk. Yes, wear comfortable shoes. Yes, wear your FitBit so that you know how many steps you got in! Imagine Downtown as a theme park, you park, you explore, you walk back to your parked car when finished!
3. Explore Downtown While You Wait
You are early now what? You now have four hours to dilly dally or do you?
El Paso Museum of Art will be hosting a Family Day: Christmas Sweater Clay Ornaments workshop from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Ice Skating at Arts Festival Plaza (for more information see number 6)
StreetCar Take a ride on the StreetCar to see all of Downtown
Shop head down El Paso Street for unique finds or visit the
Downtown Art and Farmers Market (Convention Center Plaza & Pedestrian Pathway from Noon to 8:00 p.m.)
Play games in San Jacinto Plaza such as Horse Shoes, Ping Pong (bring paddles and a ball) along with Chess.
Eat grab lunch and dinner, Downtown has plenty of options!
4. Grab a Bite to Eat
You will be Downtown for awhile and you do not want anyone hangry! Here are a some eateries in Downtown El Paso. (not all restaurants listed)
Cheezus – 210 N Stanton
Chelito’s– 115 N Mesa
Mac’s Downtown – 315 E Mills Ave
The Pizza Joint– 500 N Stanton
Rockstar Burger Bar– 217 N Stanton
Sabor – 10 Henry Trost Ct (Inside Hotel Paso Del Norte)
Adult Friendly Restaurants
Anson 11 – 303 N Oregon, Ste 110
Ambar -106 W Mills Ave (inside The Plaza Hotel)
Basico bistro + cafe – 301 Texas Ave
Elemi – 313 N Kansas St
Lapa Lapa – 304 Texas Ave, Ste 102
Mamacitas -325 N Kansas St
Park Tavern– 204 E Mills Ave
Taft Diaz – 209 N Stanton St (inside Stanton House)
Snacks and Hot Chocolate
Coffee Box – 401 N Mesa St
District Coffee – 222 Texas Ave, Ste F
Holiday Cafe – 125 W Mills Ave
La Placita Cafe -111 W Mills Ave (inside San Jacinto Park)
5. Use the Streetcar
Don’t feel like parking Downtown? Park at 100 Glory Road, free parking and ride the StreetCar into Downtown. The trolleys are scheduled to run from noon to 11:00 p.m. Get the app for routes and schedules.
6. Purchase Ice Skating Tickets
Skip the lines and save your spot by purchasing tickets ahead of time. Guarantee skate time! Select times here.
7. For the Adults
Grab an early drink while you wait for the festivities to begin at these early to open Downtown bars.
B-17 Bombers Oyster Pub – 201 S El Paso St
Circa 1963 – 325 N Kansas St (Inside Hotel Indigo, 5th Floor)
The Tap – 408 E San Antonio Ave